2 WEEKS ON THE ROAD (Part 2)

Wednesday... Destination = Kentucky. Friends = Jennifer and boys.

What a treat Wednesday provided. We chose to go add a couple hours drive time to our Wednesday travels so I would have the opportunity to meet an online friend. I have known Jennifer online for 5 (or more) years and she is the wonderful woman who blessed me with a beautiful handmade rosary shortly after my husband passed away a few years ago. I was glad to finally be able to meet her IRL (in real life). And she is just as sweet and fun in person!!!

What a fun break from the long day in the suburban. We so enjoyed meeting you and your family, Jennifer.

Our youngest boys.

Jennifer, I am so blessed to count you among my friends. I was so glad you were able to take a couple hours out of your busy day to meet us. What a pleasure!!! Oh! and thank you so much for the sub sandwiches and water.

Next post... Wednesday. Destination = Tennessee. Family = Mark's family

2 WEEKS ON THE ROAD AND HOME AGAIN!!

This summer we spent a great couple weeks on the road, traveling from state to state, visiting family and friends. In two weeks time we traveled through MN, IA, IL, IN, KY, TN, KY, OH, MI, IN, IL, WI, and finally returned to MN.

Bright and early on a Monday morning, we packed up 7 duffle bags, 5/6 sleeping bags, 7 pillows, a basket full of snack foods, a cooler, 6 personal "to-do" bags, travel games, trivia cards, 3 laptops, 5 mp3/ipods, 2 kindles, 2 Nintendo DS, 1 iPad, 2 cameras, 1 video camera, 2 adults, 2 wanna-be adults, 3 kids, 2 turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree!!

Monday... Destination = Iowa. Family = Gary and Colleen and kids.

While there we were treated to Colleen's AWESOME pancakes!!!

We spent a great day at the beach swimming, kayaking, grilling, and playing cards.

THANK YOU, Gary, Colleen, Katie, Caleb, Luke, and Elizabeth.

We had so much fun!

Next post...

Wednesday... Destination = Kentucky. Friends = Jennifer and boys.

Feast of the Assumption.

Today we celebrate the Assumption of our Blessed Mother Mary into Heaven.

From the Gospel for Mass today... Luke 1:46-55

Mary's Magnificat

"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever."

Father in heaven,
all creation rightly gives you praise,
for all life and all holiness come from you.
In the plan of your wisdom
she who bore the Christ in her womb
was raised body and soul in glory to be with him in heaven.
May we follow her example in reflecting your holiness
and join in her hymn of endless love and praise.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Wow! Time sure does fly!

On July 16th, my little girl turned 18. 18 years gone by already... really??? How is it possibly that I now have an adult daughter?! I think I blinked one time too often!

Myriah spent the week prior to her birthday helping to coordinate a mission thru our church, ending on Friday (the evening prior to her b-day). The morning of her birthday had her leaving again for Missouri on yet another mission, for yet another week. Since they were heading out bright and early on Sat., Myriah stayed Friday night at a friend's who lives much closer to church than we do. Deciding to surprise her, we all woke up at 3:30am to be at the church in time to sing her "Happy Birthday", eat donuts with her mission team, have a pillow fight (yes, we all brought our pillows with us just for such a purpose) and give her a birthday gift. She was surprised and we all had a great time celebrating her birthday and seeing her off!

Myriah, I have so enjoyed watching you grow-up!

I am so grateful to be your mother and am so glad that you are my daughter!

We all love you, so very much!

Feast of St. Lawrence

Yesterday we celebrated the Feast of catholic deacon and martyr, St. Lawrence. St. Lawrence died on the gridiron. Maintaining his trust in Christ and his sense of joy, even while suffering through such an agonizing death, he told his tormentors "Turn me over! I'm done on this side." So, in his honor we grilled hotdogs and enjoyed a "grill cake."

You can read about this wonderful saint and see the inspiration for our dessert at the Catholic Cuisine blog. So many great ideas for celebrating the faith can be found on the website.

Prayer to Saint Lawrence

O glorious Saint Lawrence, Martyr and Deacon, who, being subjected to the most bitter torments, didst not lose thy faith nor thy constancy in confessing Jesus Christ, obtain in like manner for us such an active and solid faith, that we shall never be ashamed to be true followers of Jesus Christ, and fervent Christians in word and in deed.

• Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be

V. Pray for us, O holy Lawrence,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, the grace to quench the flames of our vices, Thou who didst enable blessed Lawrence to overcome his fiery torments. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pentecost Sunday

Come Holy Spirit

and fill the hearts of your faithful,

and kindle in us the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit

and we shall be created.

And you shall renew the face of the earth.

And now he's eight!

And what an adventure to eight it turned out to be.

Thursday evening my little man was involved in a head to chin collision which lead to a two and half hour emergency room visit. His bottom teeth were pushed up far enough to puncture the gums directly behind the upper front two teeth. (Lots of blood!) All looked ok enough to be sent home with instructions to head to the dentist in the am. The instructions also included lots of popsicles and ice cream on the menu to help reduce some of the swelling. So, Friday morning, after being wished a quick happy birthday by his siblings, off we went to visit the dentist (after all, which kid wouldn't want to spend their birthday morning in a dental office.) After x-rays, it was confirmed that the front teeth were pretty loose and would need to be splinted. Lawrence is now sporting a very attractive wire metal strip that is adhered to his two front teeth and the tooth on each side. His activity and diet are restricted for two weeks as we wait to see if the teeth tighten up in there again. We are praying the two front ones will survive!

After hearing that he is only allowed soft foods for two weeks, there was great fear that his birthday dinner would need to be postponed. After assuring the dentist that I would cut his pizza into less than bite size pieces, Lawrence was given the "go ahead". And much to his pleasure, he was also informed he could eat lots and lots of ice cream and have a nice large piece of cake to go with it; after all, they would be considered "soft foods". (Of course he had to also agree that he would rinse his mouth out and brush his teeth really well when finished). So, thankfully, the birthday dinner proceeded as planned.

Cake... yum!!

What caused this excitement you might ask...

A nerf machine gun, of course!

(Sometimes, garage sales really pay off)

Thanks, Mark, for the cool spider.

(Even mom likes this one! She's not too fond of the "natural" spiders creeping through her house)

Happy Birthday, my little man!

Thanks for handling all the excitement so well. You're a tough little cookie!

And such a cute one too!

We love you!